03/07/2025
🩺 Important Clarification for IMG Doctors Regarding the NHS Workforce Plan & Training Eligibility 🩺
— By Dr. Waqas Samejo
Over the past few days, I’ve received hundreds of messages from concerned IMG doctors trying to understand what the new NHS 10-Year Workforce Plan really means for their future.
Let’s break it down — honestly and clearly.
🔍 No speculation. Just facts.
🔵 What Was Announced?
• The UK government and NHS England released a 10-Year Workforce Strategy, which aims to reduce the number of overseas healthcare workers in the long term.
• Their target is to cut international recruitment to less than 10% by 2035. Currently, over 34% of NHS recruits are from abroad, especially in medicine and nursing.
• The strategy includes training more UK medical graduates and gradually prioritising them for both foundation and specialty training posts.
🔵 What’s Missing?
The memo and press briefings did not mention specific implementation dates or eligibility criteria for upcoming training recruitment. That responsibility lies with the Workforce Department, which is expected to release final details soon — possibly before or alongside the MSRA recruitment cycle in August/September.
⚠️ What Could Happen? (Based on BMA Proposals and Current Trends)
➡️ IMGs with 2+ years of NHS experience will most likely remain eligible for training applications this year.
➡️ IMGs with less than 2 years OR no NHS experience at all may not be eligible to apply for training this round.
But again, these are indications, not confirmed policies — so please wait for the official update before making any drastic decisions.
🟢 What Is NOT Changing?
✅ Non-training jobs continue to be regularly advertised and are not affected by this plan.
These include:
• FY1 / FY2
• CT1 / ST1 Trust Grade roles
• Junior / Senior Clinical Fellow positions
• Clinical Teaching Fellow roles
• Specialty Doctor / SAS roles
💰 They continue to offer Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and valuable NHS experience.
🔑 What Should IMG Doctors Do Now?
✅ Target non-training jobs — That’s your primary door into the NHS system.
✅ Stay ready for changes, but don’t give up — Training may be delayed, not denied.
❤️ Final Words
Yes — this is a difficult time for international doctors. But also remember:
The NHS cannot function without IMGs.
Over 40% of the current workforce is international. While this plan may reduce reliance, it cannot eliminate it.
Please don’t give up hope.
I’ve helped over 1,200 IMG doctors secure NHS jobs, and I’m here — still supporting, guiding, and advocating for our community.
This isn’t the end — it’s a strategic pause. So stay strong, stay prepared, and keep building your journey — even if it takes a bit longer.
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